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Free State of Jones - The Movie

Matthew McConaughey has signed on to play Newt Knight, who led a group of anti-slavery Confederate deserters in Jones County during the Civil War.

The movie, "Free State of Jones," is written by Gary Ross, of "The Hunger Games," "Pleasantville," and "Seabiscuit" fame. It details the story of Newton Knight, an American farmer, soldier and Southern Unionist, who became the leader a band of Confederate Army deserters that turned against the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Local legends state that Knight and his men attempted to form the "Free State of Jones" in the area around Jones County at the height of the war.

After the Siege of Vicksburg, the number of Confederate deserters skyrocketed. Authorities began to hear that deserters in the Jones County area were looting houses. Colonel Amos McLemore was sent to Jones County to round up the deserters.

McLemore was staying with a local family, the Deasons, and he was shot and killed in a bedroom in their home after Knight came in off the porch and surprised him.

Frances Murphy, Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, said the DAR hopes movie executives will consider using the Deason Home, which is still standing and owned by the DAR, in the movie.

"A movie that's based well over 150 years back to actually have access to the house where it actually took place and not use it doesn't make sense. Usually it would be long gone," she said. "The bedroom is still there, the windows are still there. I think it would make the movie a whole lot more effective.

McConaughey's career took a huge jump 18 years ago when he starred in "A Time To Kill," which was also set and filmed in Mississippi.

According to Variety.com, Jon Kilik, Scott Stuber and Gary Ross are producing the $65 million project, scheduled for shooting in the first quarter of next year.

Murphy said the DAR would ask movie executives to donate to the Deason Home, to help pay for some of the renovation issues that still stand, like the paint on the exterior of the home.

"That would do all the things we need. That would be the most amazing thing in the world," she said. "$300,000 on a $65 million budget is not too much to ask."

Published in The Clarion Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi Internet Edition on Nov. 12, 2014.

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Free State of Jones - The Movie
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